(a) If and when the Village establishes the position of Village Administrator, under authority of Section 234.01, the Village Administrator shall make contracts, purchase supplies and materials and provide labor for any work under the Administrator's supervision involving not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). When an expenditure, other than the compensation of persons employed by the Village, exceeds fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), such expenditure shall first be authorized and directed by ordinance of Council. When so authorized and directed, except where the contract is for equipment, services, materials or supplies to be purchased under Ohio R.C. 125.04, 713.23 or 5513.01, or available from a qualified nonprofit agency pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4115.31 to 4115.35, or required to be purchased from a qualified nonprofit agency under R.C. §§ 125.60 through 125.6012, the Village Administrator shall make a written contract with the lowest and best bidder after advertisement for not less than two nor more than four consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the Village or as provided in R.C. § 7.16. The bids shall be opened and shall be publicly read by the Village Administrator or a person designated by the Village Administrator at the time, date and place as specified in the advertisement to bidders or specifications. The time, date and place of bid openings may be extended to a later date by the Village Administrator, provided that written or oral notice of the change shall be given to all persons who have received or requested specifications not later than ninety-six hours prior to the original time and date fixed for the opening. All contracts shall be executed in the name of the Village and signed on its behalf by the Village Administrator and the Clerk-Treasurer.
(b) Council may provide, by ordinance, for central purchasing for all offices, departments, divisions, boards and commissions of the Village, under the direction of the Village Administrator, who shall make contracts, purchase supplies or materials and provide labor for any work of the Village in the manner provided by this section.
(ORC 731.141)